Government faces shutdown risk after McCarthy ouster and GOP turmoil.

Passage ⁣of ‍Federal Budget Faces Further Delays as House Republicans Remove Speaker ‌McCarthy

The annual federal budget could face additional⁣ delays following the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) by House Republicans on Oct. 3.

This move increases the likelihood of further‌ discord‍ between Republicans and Democrats, as Congress ​has less⁢ than 40 days to​ pass⁣ 12 departmental ⁤appropriation bills and avoid a government shutdown.

“Right now, it’s⁢ all in the hands of the Republican Party; they are in a civil war and are not including ‌the Democrats in making any choices ⁤ [to fund the government],” said ⁢Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).

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“I said to Speaker McCarthy [before he was ousted], we’re ready to work with ​you, and I know ‌ [your party] is trying to kick you out, some⁣ of us could⁤ help ⁢you… but that’s a decision you’ve got to ⁤make.”

In the end, McCarthy chose not ‌to collaborate with Democrats on a permanent solution to ‌fund the federal government for ​a full year. Instead, he opted for a stop-gap​ measure, a continuing resolution, that would fund the government until Nov. 17.

This temporary measure angered Democrats by excluding federal aid to Ukraine, a priority for President Joe Biden. It also didn’t sit well with some Republicans, like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who ⁣later led an effort​ to remove McCarthy from his position. Gaetz introduced the motion to vacate the speaker’s role, which passed with a 216–210⁢ vote.

“Chaos is⁣ Speaker McCarthy. Chaos is somebody who we cannot trust with their‍ word,” ⁣said Gaetz on the House floor. “The one thing that the White House, House Democrats, and⁣ many of us on the​ conservative side of the Republican caucus would argue is that‌ the thing ​we have in common is ⁢Kevin McCarthy said something to⁢ all of us at one ‍point ⁢or another that he didn’t really mean and never intended ​to live up to.”

Shutdown Could Hinge‍ on Election of ⁢Next Speaker

Now, the House needs to elect another speaker, with a floor​ vote scheduled for ‍Oct. 11. However,‌ there’s no guarantee that the vote will proceed smoothly. McCarthy’s initial election involved a five-day, 15-ballot floor fight and required⁤ significant concessions to appease dissenting members of his own party.

If a similar battle ensues‌ over the next​ speaker, it could impede House efforts to pass the necessary appropriation bills and avoid a government shutdown in the coming weeks.

“Make no mistake: this ⁣needless and selfish ​action will stall and set back efforts to hold ‌President Biden accountable for his involvement in his family’s business dealings, ‌to cut‌ spending, or to‌ deliver‌ for⁢ working-class Americans,” stated Ways and Means Committee Chairman ‌Jason Smith (R-Mo.) after the ​motion to vacate the speaker’s office passed.

The chaos surrounding McCarthy’s ouster and the narrowly avoided government shutdown has ‍eroded the faith‌ some voters have in their elected leaders on ‌Capitol Hill.

“I’m just disgusted with ⁢the entire thing,” expressed Republican voter Katherine Hendricks of Virginia. “I think Trump‍ really needs to come back and clean ⁢out the swamp for good this time.”

This sentiment is shared among some unaffiliated voters as well.

“I think Congress doesn’t ‍work anymore, and what​ happened to McCarthy ⁣proves that. Both sides are guilty of incompetence by not funding the federal government for a ⁢year,” said Roger Lucero, an Independent ⁢voter from Colorado. “We ⁣need⁤ to just clean house, get rid of them all. At this point, ⁢I‍ would​ even say AI could make better decisions than the leaders⁤ we have in office.”

Candidates‌ for Next⁢ Speaker

The outcome will largely depend on⁢ who becomes the next speaker of the House. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise ⁤(R-La.) are the leading candidates vying for⁣ the position.

Both are‌ striving to secure the 218 votes required to win the ⁤job and need the support of the party’s far-right and ‍moderate ⁤factions.

Former​ President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Mr. Jordan, stating, “He ​will be ​a GREAT Speaker of ​the House, & has my‌ Complete & Total Endorsement!”

The trip to Washington, D.C. would be President Trump’s first to the ⁣Capitol since leaving office, ‍although it is unlikely to happen.

Past Government Shutdowns

Since 1998, Congress ‍has passed an ⁣average of‌ five continuing resolutions each year, and since 1976, the government has shut ​down 21 times for ⁢at least a day.

“The process for funding⁢ the government is deeply broken. Once this crisis is resolved, Congress should strongly consider reforms that would prevent situations like these from occurring​ again, including multiyear appropriations ⁣and biennial budgeting,” suggested Max Stier, President and CEO ⁣of‍ the‌ non-partisan Partnership for Public Service.

Legislation to reform ‌Congress and avoid future battles over government funding includes a bipartisan bill sponsored by Sens. ‌James Lankford‌ (R-Okla.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), as well as a bicameral bill introduced by Sen. ⁤Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) that would require lawmakers to remain in Washington, D.C. ‍until they pass‌ a full appropriations package.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

How does the removal of Speaker McCarthy affect the passage of the federal budget and contribute to the current political⁢ turmoil?

Deral government and playing political games instead,” said independent voter John Ramirez of Ohio. “It’s time for⁤ a change and for elected officials to put the⁢ needs of the ‌American people first.”

Outlook for ‌the Federal Budget

With​ the removal⁢ of Speaker McCarthy and the uncertainty surrounding the election of the next speaker, the passage of the federal budget has become even more challenging. The deadline to⁢ pass the budget is rapidly ‍approaching,‌ and the current political turmoil⁤ threatens to impede progress.

While there have been discussions of passing a continuing resolution to‌ fund​ the government ⁤temporarily, this is only a short-term solution that does not address the long-term ‌needs of the country. It is crucial for Congress ‌to come together and work ‌towards a permanent solution ‌that addresses‍ the priorities and concerns ⁣of both parties.

However, given the current‍ division and lack of ⁣trust between ‌Republicans and Democrats, finding common ground may prove difficult. The removal of‌ Speaker McCarthy has only intensified the discord and further complicated the budget negotiations.

Without a timely resolution, the federal government could face‍ a shutdown,‌ which would have detrimental effects‍ on various sectors and the overall ⁤economy. It is imperative for lawmakers ‍to set aside their differences and prioritize ⁣the well-being⁢ of⁢ the American ‌people by reaching a⁣ bipartisan agreement.

The outcome ⁤of the election for ​the next speaker will​ undoubtedly shape the direction ​of the budget deliberations. It is crucial for the new speaker to be⁤ able to bridge the gap between the two parties and⁤ lead effective negotiations to ensure the timely passage of the⁤ federal budget.

The American ⁤people are looking to​ their elected representatives for responsible⁤ governance and action. The current political turmoil and uncertainty⁢ surrounding the ​federal budget only contribute to their disillusionment and frustration. It is essential for Congress to demonstrate​ unity, cooperation, and a commitment to the well-being of the nation in order to restore ‍trust and confidence in the legislative‌ process.

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